Turkish police attacked workers marching to Turkish parliament to protest government proposed legislation which strips them of their rights today.

Thousands of workers from various parts of Turkey gathered at Kýzýlay, central square of Ankara and demonstrated against Turkish governments new law on workers rights. Turkish police attacked the protestors as they tried to march to Turkish parliament with pepper sprays and gas bombs. The workers hurled sticks, stones and eggs at police.

Parliament is debating a package of assorted legislation which includes measures pardoning penalties for unpaid taxes or fines, and increasing paternity leave from three days to 10.

If passed, the legislation would allow employers to relocate some workers against their will, make workers - not employers - financially responsible for health benefit premiums, and allow employers to employ interns and apprentices for four months without pay.

Trade unions also say the changes would give the government leeway to use a special fund designed to fight unemployment for other purposes.